PLANS to reintroduce parking restrictions in the centre of Rawtenstall have found favour with traders.

More than a year ago the two-hour limit on council-operated car parks in the Valley was suspended.

But business leaders have complained that shoppers have been unable to find spaces since, particularly in Rawtenstall, as people leave cars there all day.

Commuters have been accused of parking on Bank Street and then disappearing to Manchester.

Robert Briggs, who owns Oscars Fine Art and Framing, in Bank Street, said: “People are parking up for the day and then transferring to a bus to Manchester.

“Three hours should be enough for people to have a look around, buy what they want and leave.

"Hopefully this will bring more people into the town centre throughout the week.”

County Coun Tony Winder, who used to run Anthony and Patricia’s hair salon in Bank Street, said: “I am totally in support of this.

"I was on the planning committee 18 years ago when we introduced the original two-hour wait for the car parks.

"Two hours is not long enough but three is sufficient.

“We have had a problem over the past 12 months, since the restrictions were lifted, with people going into Manchester.”

Proposals to be considered by the borough council’s cabinet this week will include reintroducing the same provisions for Haslingden, Crawshawbooth and Waterfoot, after representations were made at neighbourhood forums.

But the status quo will remain in Bacup and Whitworth, as the same issue has not been raised there.

Steve Jackson, the council’s regeneration head, said: “We promised that we would keep the parking issue under review.

“We have listened to what the local business community and our neighbourhood forums have been saying about people abusing the short-stay parking.”